Newsstand: ESPN projects top-10 freshman season for Bryce Underwood
The Michigan Wolverines could wind up starting true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood this season if all goes according to plan. It should not be much of a surprise given his standing as 2025’s No. 1 overall recruit at one of the most important positions in football.
His impact will no doubt swing the trajectory of Michigan’s 2025 season, but he might not be the best freshman in the country, according to ESPN. Billy Tucker projected the top-10 freshmen seasons in the country this year, with Underwood coming in at No. 2 behind Oregon wide receiver Dakorien Moore.
“The keys have not been handed over yet, but it’s likely only a matter of time. Underwood will undoubtedly have highs and lows as a 17-year-old true freshman, but he’s one of the best physical quarterbacks we have evaluated in the past 20 years and has an extremely high football IQ. At 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, he doesn’t look like a freshman. Underwood can take a hit but also take off in the open field. It’s his passing skills that earned him the No. 1 ranking in the class last year and a multimillion-dollar NIL deal. He has smooth footwork in the pocket for a player of his stature and natural arm strength to make all the throws in Chip Lindsey’s offense.”
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Michigan quote of the day
“They’ve got me playing a couple different positions — both safety spots, playing nickel too,” Metcalf said. “We got a lot of guys rotating at every position, so I like it for us. During the spring, everybody was getting snaps at different positions, so I think it’s gonna be good for us. Everybody is getting different reps at each position — safety nickel, and we got corner nickels. It’s really good for everybody, just making sure they’re on the same page and knowing what they’re doing, because we got a big play book. We got some smart players on the team that can do it, and everybody’s just gotta hone in on what they’re supposed to be doing in whatever position they’re at. I think we’re doing a good job at it. Very few MAs, so doing good.”
– Michigan defensive back TJ Metcalf on where he will play on the defense this season
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